EU CRYPTO REGISTER · COMPARISON · LAST VERIFIED
Gemini vs Coinbase: MiCA licence status compared
This page compares Gemini and Coinbase against the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised Crypto-Asset Service Providers. In short: Gemini is authorised in Malta (since 21 August 2025) with 7 services; Coinbase is authorised in Luxembourg (since 20 June 2025) with 7 services. All data is sourced from primary public records.
One-line summary
Both Gemini (authorised in Malta, 21 August 2025) and Coinbase (authorised in Luxembourg, 20 June 2025) appear in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs. Source: ESMA Register of CASPs, retrieved 14 May 2026.
Side-by-side: Gemini vs Coinbase under MiCA
Every row is sourced from the ESMA register (Article 109 MiCA), GLEIF, and CoinGecko. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
| Question | Gemini | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|
| In the ESMA MiCA register? | Yes | Yes |
| EU legal entity | Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd | Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. |
| Home Member State | Malta | Luxembourg |
| Authorisation date | ||
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | - | - |
| Number of authorised services | 7 | 7 |
| Custody authorised | Yes | Yes |
| Trading platform authorised | No | No |
| Year founded | - | - |
| CoinGecko trust score | - | - |
What is the key difference between Gemini and Coinbase under MiCA?
The key difference is regulatory home: Gemini is supervised primarily by the National Competent Authority of Malta, while Coinbase is supervised by the National Competent Authority of Luxembourg. Under MiCA Article 65, both can passport their authorised services across the entire EEA, but day-to-day supervision, the investor compensation framework, and the regulator that handles complaints differ. The Gemini entity Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd reports 7 authorised services; the Coinbase entity Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. reports 7.
Which services do Gemini and Coinbase offer under MiCA?
MiCA Article 3(1)(16) defines ten distinct crypto-asset services. The authorisation an exchange holds is service-specific. A "Yes" below means the entity is authorised for that service in its home Member State and may passport that service across the EEA.
| Service | Gemini | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|
| Custody | Yes | Yes |
| Trading platform | No | No |
| Exchange for funds | Yes | Yes |
| Exchange for crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Order execution | Yes | Yes |
| Placing | Yes | Yes |
| Order R&T | Yes | Yes |
| Advice | No | No |
| Portfolio mgmt | No | No |
| Transfer services | Yes | Yes |
FAQ: Gemini vs Coinbase
Is Gemini licensed under MiCA in the EU?
Yes. Gemini appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs through Gemini Intergalactic EU Ltd, authorised in Malta on 21 August 2025.
Is Coinbase licensed under MiCA in the EU?
Yes. Coinbase appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs through Coinbase Luxembourg S.A., authorised in Luxembourg on 20 June 2025.
Which is safer to use in the EU, Gemini or Coinbase?
Regulatory protection is not the same as commercial safety, but MiCA authorisation is the strongest signal an EU resident has of supervised operations. Authorised CASPs are subject to client-asset ring-fencing (Article 70), prudential capital, complaint handling, and transparency rules. Choose based on a combination of licence status, service breadth, and own due diligence.
Can Gemini and Coinbase both passport into all EEA countries?
An EU member state authorisation enables passporting across the EEA under MiCA Article 65, subject to a notification process. An exchange not in the register cannot passport. Always confirm which legal entity is your counterparty before depositing.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All licence data is taken from the ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers (retrieved 14 May 2026); legal-entity details come from the GLEIF LEI database; market data comes from CoinGecko. Each source is cited inline and linked at the bottom of this page.
Sources cited on this page
Comparisons on this page are derived from the public ESMA register and GLEIF entries. The Crypto Register has no commercial relationship with either provider. Last verified .